As a young nursing student on hospital duty, May Futrell was struck by the neglect of elderly patients, which ultimately defined her career and helped implement the first graduate program in the U.S. to educate primary-care gerontological nurse practitioners.

Katie McGourty took advantage of UML's Bachelor’s-to-Master’s program and completed her master’s in one year. She landed a job with Pfizer Inc. in the inflammation and immunology department before she graduated.

In and out of the classroom, Meilani Chen found support to pursue a future career in epidemiology.

Thanks to UMass Lowell, Hillard says she's found true satisfaction and happiness in her career and in herself.